Siroc's Sister: Vento Restaurant

Vento ($$), a restaurant owned by the same people as one of my favorite's, Siroc, is a cozy Italian trattoria in West Dupont.  Like Siroc, Vento is known for their homemade pasta.  The pasta is made on-site at Vento for both restaurants. Vento is dimly lit with dark mahogany furniture- perfect for a romantic night out. 

The food did not disappoint. Fresh focaccia and olive oil hit the table first.  I couldn't help munching on the fluffy bread while I waited for my appetizer. The hand rolled gnocchi were out of this world.  At first, I was apprehensive about the Gorgonzola sauce the dish comes with because sometimes Gorgonzola can be overpowering.  The sauce was light and not at all what I expected.  It perfectly complemented the baked Bosc pear, which sat on top of the pasta.  One great deal that Vento offers is half and half portions of their pasta. If you are like me and cannot decide which one to order, this deal allows you to try more than one for the same price.

Gnocchi with Gorgonzola Sauce and Baked Bosc Pear

The Lamb Steak with a Roasted Garlic Aioli was perfectly tender and seasoned. It was some of the best lamb I've had in a while. Vento does not hold back on portion sizes here, so come hungry! The lamb came with roasted fingerling potatoes.  The strip steak was also great, although next time I would order it medium-rare instead of medium for more flavor.  The steak was served on a bed of arugula alongside roasted red potatoes.

Lamb Steak with Roasted Garlic Aioli

Strip Steak with Cracked Pepper, Marinated Tomatoes and Arugula

For dessert, I was tempted by the spoonfuls of homemade Tiramisu, but with the recommendation of the waiter I ordered the Chocolate Ganache layered with Crushed Biscotti and a Raspberry Cream.  This hit it out of the ball park.  The ganache was so rich and the crushed biscotti cookies were a nice crunchy surprise. The dessert came with fresh raspberries on top.

Chocolate Ganache Layered with Crushed Biscotti and Raspberry Cream

I will without a doubt be coming back soon (they can't keep me away from that Gorgonzola gnocchi!) Their brunch menu also looks appetizing, with Pancakes with Roasted Bosc Pear with Ginger-Pear Syrup or Poached Eggs with Crabmeat on Brioche with a Spicy Hollandaise Sauce.  The brunch prices are very reasonable, which is a relief in D.C., ranging from $4.00- $16.00.  Vento is conveniently located near the Dupont metro.  It is in an up and coming area on P St., where a lot of new restaurants are moving in.  Reserve quickly before word spreads about this new Italian hot spot!